On Tuesday, March 12, the North Carolina Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus hosted its Annual Dinner to thank their members and the state’s conservation community for continued support of sportsmen’s initiatives. The dinner was widely attended by elected officials and also included representatives from state chapters of other conservation organizations such as the North Carolina Wildlife Federation, National Wild Turkey Federation, Coastal Conservation Association, Trout Unlimited, and others.
The Caucus leadership took the opportunity to express support for recently introduced bills dealing with Sunday hunting on private land (SB 224 sponsored by Caucus Co-Chair Senator Buck Newton and HB 360 sponsored by Caucus Co-Chair Representative Tim Moffitt) and the creation of a hunter apprentice permit (SB 234 sponsored by Senator Newton and HB 296 sponsored by Representative Moffitt and Caucus Co-Chair Representative Michael Wray). Also present were many members of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, who recently passed a resolution in support of Sunday hunting on private lands. The addition of Sunday hunting on private lands would not only allow increased opportunity for school-aged youth and working adults, but also add a strong economic boost to the state.
North Carolina sportsmen and women have a large economic impact. According to CSF’s North Carolina Sportsmen’s Economic Impact Report, the state’s sportsmen and women support nearly $6.3 million per day.
Lessening Sunday hunting restrictions would further the substantial economic benefits of sportsmen’s activities for the state. If you are a North Carolina resident, please take a moment to contact your representative in the General Assembly and voice your support for these critical pieces of pro-sportsmen’s legislation that will further North Carolina’s hunting heritage.
Studies conducted at both the state and federal level have found that the number of hunters and trappers have been on a generally declining trend over the past several decades. To increase recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) of hunters and trappers, which initiative do you think would have the greatest impact?
